Our Philosophy

Maranatha Christian Academy approaches education from within the framework of Christian faith, which provides a coherent perspective on life and the world. Our foundation is anchored firmly in Jesus Christ, and our Christian worldview will not be compromised at Maranatha Christian Academy.

We have five key Spiritual Formation Goals, which are permeated throughout the educational experience and curriculum:

  1. The student approaches life and decision-making from the perspective of a biblical worldview. 
  2. The student can defend their faith. 
  3. The student has a well-rounded knowledge of Scripture. 
  4. The student volunteers their time to benefit others. 
  5. The student can engage in personal evangelism.

We believe God, as manifested in Jesus Christ, has revealed to His people principals of education, and we commit ourselves to the following education principals. 

Foundational Principals of Education

God

All proper knowledge has its source in God, as manifested in Jesus Christ. Scripture is the source of the organizational structure and fundamental principles of each field of knowledge.

Mankind

Man, being created in God’s image and enlightened by the Holy Spirit, is able to gain knowledge of God and God’s creation. Because the God-given spiritual nature of man is inseparable from his emotional, intellectual, and physical nature, the school is committed to the total development of its students.

Faith and Learning

All truth is from God, who has chosen to reveal Himself and His truth to us. Knowledge of God is the proper setting for all understanding. Reason exercised in the framework of a faith commitment to God will nurture our faith and expand our knowledge. For the Christian, faith, and learning are inseparable.

Christian Calling

The Christian purpose in life is to glorify God and His creation, to serve God and others, to bear witness to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and to influence society, culture, and the church by application of Christian thought and service in all dimensions of human endeavor. God has given differing abilities to each person, and He expects a student to perform in proportion to his abilities.

Academic Pursuit

God’s eternal Word is the ultimate source and foundation of all truth. Since we recognize that all truth comes from God, we can confidently encourage sincere intellectual exploration of different views and evaluate them based on God’s word.

Parents and Church

The responsibility for the educational and Christian development of each child belongs to the parents. It is, therefore, the fundamental responsibility of the family to train and educate the child. The Christian school should function as an extension of both the Christian home and the Christian church. It is, therefore, the school’s role to supplement the home church – never to replace it.

The Christian School and Teachers

The authority of the teacher in discipline and character training is derived from the fact that they stand in loco parentis, and the teacher derives authority in subject matter from their faithfulness to the laws of God. The school, being a body of Christian believers, possesses the freedom to function in education in total and voluntary submission to Christ. The day-to-day activities in the Christian school should reflect the body of Christ at work.

Maranatha hires staff that agrees and aligns with the purpose and mission of the school. Maranatha employees, volunteers, and many of its independent contractors have a spiritual role to play at the Academy. Because we believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit who empowers the Christian and enables them to live a life of godliness and effective service (see Maranatha’s Statement of Faith), it is vital that all people who serve at Maranatha are capable of serving and do serve the spiritual and religious purposes of the Academy.

From the Head of School

Welcome to Maranatha!

Deb Larson Head of Maranatha Christian Academy

One incredibly special thing about Maranatha, is that when you enroll at MCA, you join a family that cares about you, your children, and their future. Like a plant's roots that hold it steady, our spiritual roots give us a solid foundation, knowing that our identity is grounded in biblical truth. The strength, stability, and fruit that comes from leaning on God as our firm foundation will be a catapult for your kids now and in their future successes.

Maranatha students are some of the brightest, most intelligent, articulate, and gifted students who have a strong moral compass—God has big plans for them. We are thrilled that you have chosen Maranatha to assist you in developing and preparing your child. A major part of this responsibility is helping your children to know who they are in Christ and to find their identities not in the things of this world, but in Him.

I look forward to working together as we develop co-creators of tomorrow.

Serving Him together,

Deb Larson
Head of School

 

Innovation… Not Just a Buzzword

There was a time when education was “comfortable.” Parents sent their kids on the bus in the morning and late afternoon they returned home smarter; at least that was the assumption. While other industries continued to be pushed to improve, many educational institutions, while making incremental improvements, were not challenging the norm.

Maranatha Christian Academy noticed a change was needed, especially within the private Christian education space. So, it went to work seeking out what was successful in other industries and cutting-edge schools. Then, methodically began to incorporate these concepts, integrating them with our strong Christian Worldview. 

Today, Maranatha is an innovative and counter-cultural Christian school, always looking for ways to improve teaching and learning. Industry-leading consultants continually work with teachers to incorporate innovation incubators. Using comprehensive design thinking cohorts, teachers learn changemaker processes of problem-solving, critical thinking, collaboration, and more. Then, creatively release them into their classrooms. 

Here, success is not accidental. Raising impactful innovators, courageous change agents, critical thinkers, compassionate problem solvers, kingdom community builders, and Spirit-driven leaders takes continual introspection. Have we reached our final “educational destination”? Considering the ever-expanding opportunities that continually avail themselves to our students and staff, the answer is no. And we relish the challenge!